Chapter 18: Revenge, Killing Baki
So, he was dead just like that...
Although he had long known it would be difficult for Gekkō Hayate to survive, truly seeing someone he knew die was still a rare experience for Akiyama Makoto. Even though he had lived two lives, he was still just a young man in both of them.
However, Makoto's overwhelming feeling was one of relief. He could use the simulation to familiarize himself with this kill-or-be-killed ninja world. Otherwise, when he faced an enemy in the future, he might find himself struggling with his own emotions.
The simulation continued.
Since Gekkō Hayate was dead, it was time for Akiyama Makoto to make his official debut in Konoha. But the subsequent developments once again exceeded his expectations.
[The next day, Uzuki Yūgao comes to your door, asking you who killed Gekkō Hayate. You give her a cold answer: "The person who sent him on the mission naturally knows who the killer is." ]
[Yūgao is overcome with grief. She wants to ask the Hokage who the killer is, but as a member of the Hokage's direct Anbu subordinate, she lacks the standing to confront him.]
[You try to comfort Yūgao, but she rejects you and demands that you never approach her again. Your relationship seems to have hit rock bottom.]
Makoto rubbed his chin, his expression calm as he read the unfolding events. Although Yūgao was beautiful and he was grateful for her treatment, he didn't really have any romantic feelings for her. He was simply lamenting that winning someone over was a game best started young. Trying to pursue these adult women was truly a monumental task.
Fortunately, this was also within his expectations.
[On the day of the Chūnin Exam finals, the Konoha Crush plot erupts. As a civilian, you could have gone to a shelter, but this time you choose to act, preparing to ambush Baki in secret.]
[Your civilian attire becomes your greatest protection. Most high-level Sand ninja ignore you, and any Sand Chūnin or Genin who try to casually dispose of you are killed by you instead.]
[You finally spot Baki. At this time, he is entangled with other Konoha ninja. Because of his great strength, his life is not in immediate danger, but he has no attention to spare for anything else. This is the perfect opportunity for you to strike.]
Akiyama Makoto's eyes lit up. In his first simulation with Tenten, he had designed a series of ninja tools but never had the chance to try them himself. Now, he could finally test them out. The schematics for the Fragmentation Kunai had been given to Tenten's family tool shop long ago. During this Konoha Crush, he had already seen Konoha ninja successfully use them in surprise attacks more than once. But he had only recently given the second ninja tool design to Tenten's family. A prototype, freshly built, had been acquired by him a few days ago under the pretext of testing.
Now, it was time to see just how powerful this prototype weapon truly was.
[You find an uninhabited corner with a good line of sight. You open a sealing scroll and take out a two-meter-long weapon that resembles a sniper rifle. This is your newly designed assassination tool.]
[It uses an explosive tag as its power source, supplemented by chakra injection to stabilize the trajectory and enhance destructive power. It uses a 7.62cm poisoned steel senbon as its projectile. Its supersonic precision attack range can reach 500 meters. The only drawback is that for now, it is single-shot only.]
[You hold your breath, aim at Baki, and finally, during a gap when Baki uses his Wind Style: Blade of Wind, you decisively fire. The senbon's speed exceeds the speed of sound, so by the time Baki realizes he's being ambushed, it is too late.]
[The senbon pierces Baki's eye, but to your surprise, he does not die. At the critical moment, he used a wind blade to interfere with the senbon's trajectory, causing it to get stuck in his skull.]
[In agony, Baki madly chases after you. You turn and flee without hesitation, waiting for the poison to take effect. However, Baki shows no signs of being poisoned; instead, he only gets faster.]
[At this moment, you finally remember that Baki himself is a master of poison. Your situation has become dangerous.]
Makoto's brow furrowed. In his plan, he had never expected to kill Baki with a single shot. He had figured that as long as he could grievously wound him, the other Konoha ninja could finish the job by throwing a few kunai. He was even considering how to land the final blow to claim the kill for himself.
But why was the rhythm of events so off? Had the other Konoha ninja not put in any effort, or did they not want to clash head-on with a crazed Baki?
Makoto hesitated, wondering if he should exchange a simulation attempt for a guidance to ensure his own escape. If he were killed by Baki at this moment, all his progress in this simulation would be for nothing.
But just then, Makoto's eyes lit up.
[Just as you are about to be caught by Baki, Uzuki Yūgao, who has sensory talents, had already found you and was following. It turns out she had only pretended to have a falling out with you, not wanting you to fulfill your promise to Gekkō Hayate.]
[After spending more than half a year together, she already sees you as a younger brother. Now, seeing you in danger for trying to avenge Hayate, she naturally cannot stand by and do nothing.]
[Unfortunately, even with the two of you fighting together, you are no match for the enraged Baki. You are quickly put at a disadvantage, in danger of dying at any moment.]
[At this moment, you suddenly smile and say to Yūgao: "Sister, if we survive this, can you be my girlfriend?"]
[Yūgao, thinking you are just seeking a final comfort, smiles tragically and nods. "The moment you attacked Baki, you already became the closest person to me."]
[Baki prepares to send you both on your way, but at that moment, he finds he cannot move. It turns out you had secretly cast the sealing jutsu, One-Thread-Thin Lantern Formation, and were just waiting for him to let his guard down.]
[Baki never imagined a child like you would know sealing jutsu. He is restrained for just a single moment, but Yūgao does not miss the opportunity. She expertly uses the Konoha-Style Sword Technique and decapitates him with a single slash.]
Seeing this, Makoto's eyes lit up. It actually worked... In truth, he still had a few tricks up his sleeve. He had mastered so many jutsu in his previous simulation. While most were low to mid-level, they were more than enough for tricking people. Baki was, after all, only a Jōnin; it was impossible for him to have countermeasures for everything.
Since the simulation was a success, his relationship with Yūgao should now proceed smoothly, right?
But what Makoto didn't expect was that the act of killing Baki would trigger a chain reaction.
[The Konoha Crush plot fails completely, but the Third Hokage dies. Power in Konoha falls into the hands of Danzō and the two elder advisors.]
[The Sand Village agrees to peace talks but demands you be handed over to appease their anger. Otherwise, they will wage a long-term war against Konoha.]
[You are imprisoned by the Konoha Military Police Force.]